Pesticide Consumer Tips and Complaints

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is authorized to investigate those cases involving alleged pesticide misuse, pesticide drift, sub-standard termite treatments if there is a current contract, failure to issue a termite contract, failure to retreat active termite infestations, certain sales practices leading to the application of a pesticide, pesticide labeling, illegal pesticide applicators, illegal pesticide sales, and illegal pesticide manufacture.

• If you are not familiar with a pest control company, always get three bids or check the Tennessee Department of Agriculture website for a list of chartered companies in your area.
• The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is responsible for the enforcement of state and federal pesticide laws and regulations.
• The Tennessee Department of Agriculture does not have authority regarding pricing of pesticides and/or pesticide application services, contractual disputes over payment, non-pesticide services, personal or property damage disputes.
• Ask to be shown structural damage and verify the presence of termites before signing a contract for treatment.
• You have the right to request a copy of the product label and Material Safety Data Sheet for the product to be used.  This will enable you to understand hazards and proper product use.
• Ask to see the applicator's Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification card or Commercial Pesticide License card.  For verification of current standing.
• A pest control company is allowed to do business legally in Tennessee only if the charter number is visible on their company vehicle and any advertisement.
• A company representative soliciting business should have a Solicitor's card issued by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
• Contracts for the treatment of termites should be warranted for a period of no less than one year.  Renewable at the discretion of the company and consumer.
• The term pesticide includes: insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides, avicides, miticides, acaricides, bactericides, etc.
• In Tennessee, a Wood Destroying Insect Infestation Report is issued in conjunction with the sale or transfer of real estate, must be warranted for ninety (90) days of accuracy of representations in the inspection report.
• The consumer should inquire about treatment options regarding termites; bating systems have different features from liquid applications, and vice versa.

Filing a Complaint

• File a complaint about pesticide use with the Pesticide Complaint Form.
• Instructions for the Pesticide Complaint Form are found here.
• The Consumer and Industry Services Complaint Hotline number is 1-800-628-2631.